One of the most popular posts on my blog are these related to the HMC, functionality and management. Recently I’ve been invited by IBM research/development team to an adviser role in order to help with improvement the interface. Because at the same time, I realized there are multiple things which were already added with the latest Service Packs but I was not aware of them. I decided to write this post and share the tricks which you may not know.
Category: HMC
VIOS 3.1 upgrade for everyone
I assume there are many installations which need to go to VIOS 3.1 by October 2020 due to end of support for VIOS 2.x. Because, I did not find any upgrade procedure for “dummies”, I decided to write one which I hope people find useful. I do not cover only the upgrade process itself, but also share some advises how to do it safely and recover in case of troubles. Upgrade Virtual I/O Server to 3.1 is completely different process than before. For instance, you are going to need an extra disk to perform the operation. Interested?
LPARKit – tool for managing VIOS from 5250 and cloning IBM i OS
I don’t think many people noticed this information yet, but recently a project which I was involved for last two years get live. My feeling is that many people do not understand the idea, thus I created a post explaining the functionality and possible usage. Read more about LPARKit below – tool which allows to create LPARs from 5250 and cloning IBM i OS. Continue reading “LPARKit – tool for managing VIOS from 5250 and cloning IBM i OS”
Enable classic HMC GUI on release V9R1 – locked with HMC fix
How many of you are missing the old classic HMC GUI? Since version V8R8.7.0 we can run only new Enhanced GUI+ interface. Thus, POWER9 machines can be managed only by the Enhanced+ interface, right? In this post you can find a procedure how to start the classic GUI. even on the HMC running latest FW9.1. Continue reading “Enable classic HMC GUI on release V9R1 – locked with HMC fix”
SR-IOV firmware upgrade via the HMC Enhanced GUI
Today, I want to share my experience with the upgrade an SR-IOV adapter firmware (EN0H) configured in shared mode. The update was so simple and so straight forward that I decided to share this positive message with you. Continue reading “SR-IOV firmware upgrade via the HMC Enhanced GUI”
How to automate update of Access Keys for POWER8
The other day, I’ve wrote about POWER8 ‘feature’ which requires from an administrator update of access keys in order to keep a server eligible for the firmware upgrade POWER8 – No hardware maintenance-no firmware upgrade . An administrator needs to enter these every few months, if a maintenance contract is re-signed every few months. This can be a headache, or something bigger if someone runs multiple servers. There is a secret HMC function, which can update the keys automatically.
Continue reading “How to automate update of Access Keys for POWER8”
Create an LPAR with specific WWPNs
By the command below an LPAR can be created with specific WWPNs, of course if you use NPIV adapters. It can be useful for LPARS migration between servers. It is extremely dangerous command, therefore it should be used only by people who knows what is for. Continue reading “Create an LPAR with specific WWPNs”
How to create SEA without touching VIOS
In this post I will describe how to create a Shared Ethernet Adapter (SEA) from the new HMC Enhanced GUI interface where no single command in VIOS command line is required. Continue reading “How to create SEA without touching VIOS”
My few words about HMC Enhanced + interface
Those of you who run recent hardware, probably noticed the new HMC interface called Enhanced+ GUI available since the HMC Firmware 8.8.1 SP1. In this post I would like to share my point of view and give some advice for people who would like to use it. Continue reading “My few words about HMC Enhanced + interface”
Setting CPU/MEM as absolute value from the HMC CLI
From the HMC firmware version 8, it is possible to define absolute values for DLPAR commands in order to change physical, virtual CPUs from the HMC command line. Continue reading “Setting CPU/MEM as absolute value from the HMC CLI”
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